184. （一八四）牛角娑罗林经

I have heard thus:

At one time, the Buddha was wandering in the country of the Vṛjis, staying in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove, together with many well-known and highly regarded elder bhikṣus, great disciples, and others. The Venerable Śāriputra, the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the Venerable Mahākapphiṇa, the Venerable Aniruddha, the Venerable Revata, and the Venerable Ānanda, these and other well-known and highly regarded elder bhikṣus, great disciples, were also wandering in the country of the Vṛjis, staying in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove, all dwelling near the Buddha's leaf hut.

Then, the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the Venerable Mahākapphiṇa, and the Venerable Aniruddha, having passed the night, went to where the Venerable Śāriputra was. The Venerable Ānanda saw them coming from afar and said, "Venerable Revata, you should know that these Venerables Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Mahākāśyapa, Mahākapphiṇa, and Aniruddha, having passed the night, have gone to where the Venerable Śāriputra is. Venerable Revata, now you should go together with them to where the Venerable Śāriputra is. Perhaps you can hear the Dharma from the Venerable Śāriputra." Then, the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the Venerable Mahākapphiṇa, the Venerable Aniruddha, the Venerable Revata, and the Venerable Ānanda, having passed the night, went to where the Venerable Śāriputra was.

The Venerable Śāriputra saw them coming from afar and said to them, "Welcome, Venerable Ānanda! Welcome, Ānanda! Welcome, Ānanda! The attendant of the World-Honored One, who understands the World-Honored One's intention, is always praised by the World-Honored One and by the wise and virtuous ones. I now ask Venerable Ānanda, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Ānanda, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Ānanda replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, if there is a bhikṣu who extensively studies and memorizes, guarding and not forgetting, accumulating extensive learning, namely the Dharma that is wonderful in the beginning, wonderful in the middle, and wonderful in the end, with meaning and text, complete and pure, manifesting the holy life. Such a bhikṣu extensively studies and memorizes, mastering it up to a thousand times, contemplating it in his mind, clearly seeing and deeply penetrating it. He speaks the Dharma concisely and swiftly, in accordance with the truth, wishing to sever all bonds. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra further asked, "Venerable Revata, Venerable Ānanda Bhikṣu has already spoken according to his knowledge. I now ask Venerable Revata, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Revata, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Revata replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, if there is a bhikṣu who delights in sitting in meditation, practicing inner tranquility, not neglecting sitting meditation, accomplishing contemplation, always delighting in solitude, and enjoying peaceful places, Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra further asked, "Venerable Aniruddha, Venerable Revata Bhikṣu has already spoken according to his knowledge. I now ask Venerable Aniruddha, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Aniruddha, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Aniruddha replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, if there is a bhikṣu who has attained the divine eye, accomplished the divine eye, and can see in an instant all the thousand worlds with little effort. Venerable Śāriputra, it is like a person with eyes standing on a high building, looking down at the thousand earthen mounds on the open ground, and seeing them all in an instant with little effort. Venerable Śāriputra, if there is a bhikṣu who has attained the divine eye, accomplished the divine eye, and can see in an instant all the thousand worlds with little effort, Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra further asked, "Venerable Kātyāyana, Venerable Aniruddha Bhikṣu has already spoken according to his knowledge. I now ask Venerable Kātyāyana, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Kātyāyana, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Mahākātyāyana replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, it is like two bhikṣu teachers discussing the profound Abhidharma together. They can understand and know well whatever is asked, and their answers are unhindered, with eloquent explanations of the Dharma. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra further asked, "Venerable Mahākāśyapa, Venerable Kātyāyana Bhikṣu has already spoken according to his knowledge. I now ask Venerable Mahākāśyapa, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Mahākāśyapa, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Mahākāśyapa replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu praises himself for having no affairs, praises himself for having few desires, praises himself for being content, praises himself for enjoying dwelling alone in seclusion, praises himself for practicing diligently, praises himself for establishing right mindfulness and right knowledge, praises himself for attaining concentration, praises himself for having wisdom, praises himself for having exhausted all taints, praises himself for inspiring others to be thirsty and eager, and praises himself for accomplishing joy, Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra further asked, "Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Venerable Mahākāśyapa has already spoken according to his knowledge. I now ask Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana replied, "Venerable Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power, and is unlimited in his supernatural powers, he can transform one into many, combine many into one, remain in one, and have knowledge and insight, penetrating through stone walls as if through space without obstruction, entering and exiting the earth as if it were water, walking on water as if on land without sinking, rising into the sky and sitting cross-legged like a bird, and even touching the sun and moon with his hands, reaching as far as the Brahma Heaven with his body. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana asked, "Venerable Śāriputra, I and the other Venerables have each spoken according to our knowledge. I now ask Venerable Śāriputra, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the Śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Śāriputra, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove? "

The Venerable Śāriputra replied, "Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, if a bhikṣu has mastery over his mind and is not controlled by his mind, then wherever he dwells, he can roam about in the morning. If he wishes to roam about at noon or in the afternoon, he can do so wherever he dwells. Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, it is like a king or a king's minister who has many garments of various fine colors. If he wishes to wear them in the morning, he can put them on. If he wishes to wear them at noon or in the afternoon, he can put them on. Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, in the same way, if a bhikṣu has mastery over his mind and is not controlled by his mind, then wherever he dwells, he can roam about in the morning. If he wishes to roam about at noon or in the afternoon, he can do so wherever he dwells. Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, I and the other Venerables have each spoken according to our knowledge. Virtuous Mahāmaudgalyāyana, let us go together to the Buddha and discuss this matter. We will know who speaks best among us." Then the Venerable Śāriputra, the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the Venerable Mahākappina, the Venerable Anuruddha, the Venerable Revata, and the Venerable Ānanda went to where the Buddha was. The Venerables bowed their heads at the Buddha's feet and sat to one side. The Venerable Ānanda also bowed his head at the Buddha's feet and stood to one side.

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, today the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the Venerable Mahākappina, the Venerable Anuruddha, the Venerable Revata, and the Venerable Ānanda came to me in the early morning. When I saw them coming from afar, I spoke to them, saying, 'Welcome, Venerable Ānanda! Welcome, Ānanda! Welcome, Ānanda! The World-Honored One's attendant understands the World-Honored One's intention and is always praised by the World-Honored One and the wise practitioners of the holy life. I now ask the Venerable Ānanda, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Ānanda, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Ānanda then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu is well-versed in the teachings, upholds them without forgetting, accumulates extensive learning, and is endowed with the teachings that are wonderful in the beginning, wonderful in the middle, and wonderful in the end, with meaning and expression, complete and pure, manifesting the holy life. He extensively studies and memorizes such teachings, contemplating them with his mind, clearly seeing and deeply understanding them. He speaks the Dharma concisely and swiftly, in accordance with the truth, wishing to sever all afflictions. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Ānanda has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Ānanda is accomplished in extensive learning."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, after the Venerable Ānanda had spoken, I further asked the Venerable Revata, 'Venerable Revata, the bhikṣu Ānanda has already spoken according to his understanding. I now further ask the Venerable Revata, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Revata, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Revata then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu delights in sitting in meditation, practices inner tranquility, does not neglect sitting in meditation, is accomplished in contemplation, always enjoys solitude, and delights in peaceful places, Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Revata has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Revata always delights in sitting in meditation."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, after the Venerable Revata had spoken, I further asked the Venerable Anuruddha, 'Venerable Anuruddha, the bhikṣu Revata has already spoken according to his understanding. I now further ask the Venerable Anuruddha, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Anuruddha, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Anuruddha then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu has attained the divine eye, accomplished the divine eye, and can see a thousand worlds with little effort in an instant. Venerable Śāriputra, it is like a person with eyes standing on a high building, looking down at a thousand earthen mounds on the open ground, they can see them all with little effort in an instant. Venerable Śāriputra, in the same way, if a bhikṣu has attained the divine eye, accomplished the divine eye, and can see a thousand worlds with little effort in an instant. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Anuruddha has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Anuruddha has accomplished the divine eye."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, after the Venerable Anuruddha had spoken, I further asked the Venerable Kaccāna, 'Venerable Kaccāna, the bhikṣu Anuruddha has already spoken according to his understanding. I now further ask the Venerable Kaccāna, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Kaccāna, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Kaccāna then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, it is like two bhikṣu teachers discussing the profound Abhidharma together. They can understand and answer well whatever questions are asked, and their explanations are eloquent. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Kaccāna has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Kaccāna is a teacher who analyzes the Dharma."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, after the Venerable Kaccāna had spoken, I further asked the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, 'Venerable Mahākāśyapa, the bhikṣu Kaccāna has already spoken according to his understanding. I now further ask the Venerable Mahākāśyapa, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Mahākāśyapa, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Mahākāśyapa then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, it is like a bhikṣu who speaks of his own lack of affairs, his own few desires, his own contentment, his own joy in dwelling in solitude, his own practice of diligence, his own establishment of right mindfulness and right knowledge, his own attainment of concentration, his own wisdom, his own exhaustion of all taints, and his own encouragement, aspiration, accomplishment, and joy. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Mahākāśyapa has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Mahākāśyapa always practices without affairs."

The Venerable Śāriputra said, "World-Honored One, after the Venerable Mahākāśyapa had spoken, I further asked the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, 'Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, the Venerable Mahākāśyapa has already spoken according to his understanding. I now further ask the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, it is like a bhikṣu who has great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, great spiritual power, and unlimited supernatural powers. He practices unlimited supernatural powers, transforming one into many, combining many into one, abiding in one, with knowledge and vision, penetrating through stone walls as if through space without obstruction, entering and exiting the earth as if it were water, walking on water as if on land without sinking, rising into the sky and sitting cross-legged like a bird. The sun and moon have great supernatural powers, great authority, great merit, and great spiritual power. They can touch them with their hands and reach the Brahma Heaven. Venerable Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Śāriputra, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Mahāmaudgalyāyana has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Mahāmaudgalyāyana has great supernatural powers."

Then the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said, "World-Honored One, after we had spoken thus, I then addressed the Venerable Śāriputra, saying, 'Venerable Śāriputra, I and the other Venerables have each spoken according to our understanding. I now ask the Venerable Śāriputra, this Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove is very delightful, with the bright moon at night and the wonderful fragrance of the śāla trees, like heavenly flowers. Venerable Śāriputra, what kind of bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove?' The Venerable Śāriputra then replied to me, saying, 'Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, it is like a bhikṣu who has mastery over his mind and is not controlled by his mind. If he wishes to roam about in the middle of the day, he can do so. If he wishes to roam about at noon or in the afternoon, he can do so. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, it is like a king or a king's minister who has many garments of various fine colors. If he wishes to wear them in the middle of the day, he can do so. If he wishes to wear them at noon or in the afternoon, he can do so. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, in the same way, if a bhikṣu has mastery over his mind and is not controlled by his mind, if he wishes to roam about in the middle of the day, he can do so. If he wishes to roam about at noon or in the afternoon, he can do so. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, such a bhikṣu would arise in the Gośīrṣa Śāla Grove.'"

The World-Honored One praised, "Excellent, excellent! Mahāmaudgalyāyana, it is indeed as the bhikṣu Śāriputra has said. Why is that? The bhikṣu Śāriputra has mastery over his mind."

Then the Venerable Śāriputra rose from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, joined his palms towards the Buddha, and said, "World-Honored One, after we had spoken thus, I addressed the Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, saying, 'Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, I and the other Venerables have each spoken according to our understanding. Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, let us go together to the Buddha and discuss this matter. Among us, who will speak best?' World-Honored One, who among us spoke best?"

The World-Honored One replied, "Śāriputra, all of them spoke well. Why is that? These teachings are all what I have spoken. Śāriputra, listen to what I say. Thus, a bhikṣu should arise in the Sāla Grove. Śāriputra, if a bhikṣu dwells in a city or village, he should, after passing the night, put on his robe, take his alms bowl, enter the village to beg for food, well protect his body, well restrain his faculties, and well establish his mindfulness. After begging for food, he should, after noon, put away his robe and bowl, wash his hands and feet, put his sitting mat on his shoulder, and go to a place without affairs, or to the foot of a tree, or to an empty and quiet place. He should spread out his sitting mat, sit cross-legged, and not uncross his legs until his taints are exhausted. He should not uncross his legs until his taints are exhausted. Śāriputra, such a bhikṣu should arise in the Sāla Grove."

The Buddha spoke thus. Those bhikṣus, having heard the Buddha's words, rejoiced and practiced accordingly.